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The Guy with the Sign

The Guy with the Sign

Words of Faith 2-17-2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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1 Peter 4

        [7] The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

 

         He has become something of a cliché.  In cartoons, movies, television, and even at an occasional sports event, we see him, usually bearded and a bit unkempt.  He often appears as a sort of mockery of religious warnings in disaster movies, even though he is finally vindicated in the storyline. He carries a sign that bears an age-old prophetic message: "Repent: The End Is Near." Whatever we may make of this fellow, one of the first to plead such a warning was the Apostle Peter! For him, it was no joke.

          The End Time message isn't one that we really like to think about, especially if we live in a warm home and have food to eat.  If we enjoy meaningful work and relatively peaceful and joyous family life, we don't really like to contemplate an end of all things.  But, according to Peter, an end is near, and we need to be prepared.  Peter doesn't map out what the End Times will be like, but he does suggest some important preparations. 

          Pray. Be clear-minded and self-controlled. This is not a time to follow every whimsical "move of the spirit" that may sweep us from clear thinking.  It is not a time to lose the fruit of the Spirit we call self-control. We need to pray. Pray for believers who are persecuted. Pray for the lost. Time is short.

          Love.  Within the Body, love each other deeply.  None of this superficial stuff that has no real substance when it really counts.  Love one another deeply.  Even the sins and hurts that separate people are covered over when we love as Jesus loved us.

         Hospitality. Toward those outside the Body.  Don't be cliquish.  Don't look only inward.  Offer warm hospitality to those outside the Body.  How else will they ever come to Jesus!  And no grumbling that newcomers are treated with kindness.

         Use your gift.  Whatever gift God has given to you, use it!  Time is short, and the Lord needs to minister His grace through His people and the gifts He has placed within the Body of Christ. If your gift is to speak, do so carefully as the very words of God.  If your gift is to serve, do so with the strength of God. 

          You may not be called to carry a sign or preach on the street but do these things.  We do not know when the end will come.  But Pray.  Love.  Be Hospitable. Speak the Word of God.  Serve in His power.  Today we may be with Him in paradise.

 

             Lord, let me live today so that it matters. Let me live today so that if it is my last, I can know that it was lived for You.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, and our website, and our church app, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.  

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